Chemistry Set - Elapsed Memories

by Erick Mertz

published: 7 / 2 / 2015

Label: Fruits de Mer
Format: 7"

Beautiful and timeless-sounding seven inch vinyl only single from durable 60’s revisionists, the Chemistry Set

Review

Everything about the Chemistry Set harkens back to an older, perhaps bygone time in rock, from their multi-colored floral cover designs, to the neo-psychedelic sound, to the allusions to love and drugs that litter their songs. Dip your toes into the bright offerings of ‘Elapsed Memories’ and you’ll wish those old times never left our radios though. Sitting down with a Chemistry Set song is a refreshing opportunity to explore how music influences across generations. Their latest ‘Elapsed Memories’ single (available as a coloured vinyl EP from Fruits de Mer records) bursts like a three song sunbeam. From the eerie organ introduction to the title track with its jangly guitars, through the stoned mystical musings of the curious Jimi Hendrix cover ‘Love Or Confusion’, they’re a coolly timeless blend. On one hand, they feel like another MTV fueled alternative rock band before the core influences of the Byrds and Big Star take the reins. There is, however, no slacking off in the British band that pioneered the late 1980’s boom in revisionist rock; conservative estimates place their output at forty-one releases, perhaps more on the way. The Chemistry Set fits their heady and quite recent praise that no great songs come with a date stamp.